Prep baseball: Peacock makes up for lost time with Davis

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A wrist injury forced Davis' Jackson Peacock to sit out his junior season.

He's more than made up for lost time this season.

The senior has belted six home runs along with a triple and three doubles in helping the Darts to an undefeated record (6-0) in Region 1 entering the week. Peacock, who doubles as a middle linebacker on the school's football team, spent extra time in the batting cages trying to get his swing back to form.

"When I didn't play, it bothered me because I love the game but couldn't," Peacock said. "I'd go to the games and watch them play, but it was frustrating. I'd still be yelling and screaming for them. Now I realize how much I missed it."

Peacock tore ligaments in his wrist while power lifting. He was fitted with a brace for six weeks, had surgery and spent another six weeks on the sidelines.

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"I tried to do my best to put my mind elsewhere," Peacock said. "I'm not super surprised about [my comeback]. As long as you work hard at something, you can get it. My coaches made it easier for me to get back in the swing of things."

Following his recovery, Peacock played football for the Darts, totaling a team-high 118 tackles along with 1.5 sacks and an interception. He earned first team all-state honors, helping the Darts reach the quarterfinals before losing to Lone Peak.

On the diamond, Peacock has made a seamless transition.

"He hits for average and power and can flat-out swing it," Davis coach Dave Leo said about Peacock. "If they throw a strike, he's all over it. Very seldom does he swing at a bad pitch. He's got a lot of natural ability, and I think that's what carried him through [his injury]. He lives in the weight room. He's quite a specimen."

While it took time for him to feel comfortable swinging the bat again, Peacock said he has been able to hit the ball square and get his hands through easily.

Without Peacock in the lineup, Leo tried a platoon at first base last season, but neither of the players came close to matching his production. Aside from his baseball skills, Peacock also is quite mature for his age.

"Everything he does in my book is Class A," Leo said. "He's a brilliant individual, and it pays off on the field. He's one of the guys a coach looks to for leadership on the field. When he talks, you better listen. He makes people around him better. He's a kid every dad wants to marry his daughter."

Peacock, 18, has been accepted to BYU and plans to leave on his LDS mission to Baltimore in July. Having missed a season due to injury, Peacock's athletic recruitment has been limited. However, he plans to see what becomes available after returning from his mission.

Peacock credits others for making him a better person and athlete.

"I've got the greatest parents in the world, and a lot of credit goes to them," he said. "I'm also on a good team with great guys. The things they've done to make themselves better makes us all better. It's nice to have everyone playing hard."

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